These Are Our Hours; This is Our Time
The students of the Canterlot High senior class waited patiently within the corridors of the Canterlot City Ice Arena, chatting anxiously amongst themselves as they waited for the orchestra to begin playing the opening Commencement Anthem.
Practically separated due to being sorted by name alphabetically, Sunset Shimmer and her five best friends that once were her enemies couldn’t really talk directly to one another at this time. But they could still give each other supporting gestures or mouth the words ‘good luck’ or ‘congratulations’ to each other when they could. The most well known or respected of the friends like Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash easily chatted with their peers that stood directly in front, or back of them in their line.
The other two, Applejack and Fluttershy simply kept to themselves in their thoughts. Since she knew she would be practically surrounded by a large crowd of people, and all eyes would be on her when she walked across the stage to receive her diploma and rose-- Fluttershy was extremely focused on doing a breathing exercise that her parents advised to calm her nerves. She was already intimidated by being sandwiched between two students that she really didn’t know at all... but she did what she could to not focus on what was scaring her, and focused more on the positive scenarios like her friends and family being there to cheer her on and provide some comfort.
Unlike Fluttershy, Sunset was more calm and collected: but that didn’t mean that her mind was not at rest. The thing is that during her first few years of practically ruling the school and having the students fear her, Sunset had never had the time to look into colleges or universities. Same for finding a part-time or full-time career.
Since Sunset knew she was still an Equestrian at heart and had the intention of taking over her own homeworld when she had the Element of Magic in her possession, she had no interest in pursuing a life as a human. Now that all of that has changed, she had pretty much met a dead point in her life. She didn’t want to think of it that way since she now had friends who love and forgive her for her misdeeds, but there was no denying the fact that she didn’t think about what would happen if someone was successful at stopping her plans. That being Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Now the only thing she could do was face this consequence in the hopes that it will be resolved somehow in due time. When exactly? She wasn’t sure at all. All that mattered now was that she was successful at graduating high school as a normal human teenage girl, and made peace with her peers that she has wronged for a long time. She still sensed a bit of their uneasiness however.
Sunset’s thoughts were then interrupted when the orchestra finally began playing the opening procession tune which signalled the selected few faculty members to begin leading their lines of graduates out onto the currently iceless rink. There, they would be seated in rows along with being provided with a program that was placed on the cushion of every chair.
As Sunset walked with the others toward her assigned row and seat, she glanced around at the crowd. She guessed there had to be at least over three-hundred souls looking down upon them. Such a sum of numbers and attention would definitely make Fluttershy faint right there on the spot. Thankfully, Sunset didn’t spot any kind of commotion or gathering of faculty members in an area of distress.
Mind at ease, Sunset casually followed a leading peer into her row before taking a seat to anticipate the moment of crossing that stage, receiving her diploma, and getting her tassel turned to the left of her cap to certify her graduation, just like her friends and everyone else. It will be a while though unfortunately.
The Commencement Ceremony started off with Principal Celestia and her sister, Vice Principal Luna taking the podium which was placed in the center of the stage. Just behind them was a long table decorated and covered with a light cerulean tarp with a yellow stripe running down the center. The same color pattern was on the robes of the graduates. Celestia, Luna, and all the other faculty members wore black robes with the same yellow stripe design.
“Welcome parents and friends to the Fifty-third Annual Commencement Ceremony for the Canterlot Senior High School Class of 2015,” Celestia announced into the mic so her voice could be heard from all corners of the arena. “This is truly one of our most momentous occasions for the school, and especially our Seniors who we are all congratulating tonight.”
Seconds turned to minutes as minutes turned to an hour or so as the ceremony went on with performances from the school's orchestra and vocal choirs; speeches given by student leaders; acknowledgements of highly achieved students, and finishing off with Celestia and Luna giving their own speeches which were a bit long-winded to say the least. Good thing Rainbow Dash was seated far enough away from the receiving of the mic so her rather audible snoring wouldn’t be transmitted throughout the stadium. Still, it would express how urgently the graduates wanted to receive their diplomas and go home to get some proper sleep.
Thankfully, Luna’s speech ended before others followed suit to be in Rainbow’s Snooze n’ Snore chorus line. It was now time to finally hand out diplomas and leave high school life behind.
Sunset watched each one of her fellow peers walk across the stage to be free of their Wondercolt designation. Her smile grew bigger and applauded when she saw a few of her friends cross before her… even Fluttershy who succeeded in moving across the stage on her own without an escort to shield her from all the eyes looking upon her existence. Sunset could tell however by how quickly she paced her steps and shook hands with the faculty that she didn’t want to stay up there longer than she needed to.
Soon enough, Sunset’s row was instructed to stand up to make their way to the stage. Sunset was excited and quite proud of accomplishing something great in a world that wasn’t her own. Still, her mind kept refocusing on what she could’ve done better in the past-- but that ship has already unfortunately sailed.
Sunset however managed to put a smile on her face as she shook hands with the faculty and receiving her diploma, along with a traditional red rose. It wasn’t until after she walked off the stage that she put back on a noticeably concerned frown as she went back to her seat. When a few concerned classmates asked why she looked unhappy, she simply replied that she was just tired from the long ceremony.
When the last of the graduates walked across the stage, the orchestra played the closing piece as rows were dismissed in order from front to back. The graduates then walked down the center aisle as they either shook hands or hugged their now former instructors, wishing them well in future endeavors. Soon enough, the graduates were huddled in the lobby mingling with friends and relatives.
Sunset strolled around the area until she finally caught a glimpse of all five of her friends with their families smiling and laughing with each other. Such a sight brought a smile to Sunset’s expression, but it was one out of sadness mostly. A lone tear then escaped from one of her brimming eyes and ran down her cheek.
As if sensing a sign of unhappiness, Pinkie Pie turned her head towards Sunset’s direction.
“What’s wrong, Sunny?” she asked, cocking her head inquisitively. The rest of the girls did the same.
“What? Oh nothing really. I’m just happy that we all made it through high school, and that you all know what your futures are,” Sunset replied with best sincerity.
It was then that Sunset visualized all five of her friends dressed in the attire of their life careers. Fluttershy was dressed as a veterinarian, wearing a sophisticatedly professional dark pink short-sleeved buttoned shirt with a name tag pinned on the right side of her chest. She wore light denim jeans with white sneakers, held securely in place with light cerulean laces. Her long, light pink hair was tied in a ponytail that draped over her left shoulder. Held in both of her arms and hands was a clipboard with a pen that was attached to it by string that was tied to the metal clamp of the board.
It wasn’t really hard to see how Rarity would dress for her career, considering that she has already has a reputation for being a fashionista and tailor throughout most of her childhood and early teen years. Still, Sunset could see Rarity dressed to the nines in a bedazzled, one strapped silver-linen silk dress. She wore matching high heel shoes that graced her feet and steps in just the right way. Her hair was bunched up neatly in a thick bun with curly bangs framing both sides of her face. She almost looked more of an Oscar movie actress then someone who would create or repair clothing.
For the rest, Sunset didn’t have to imagine much about how AJ, Pinkie, and Rainbow would look for their futures.
Applejack still wished to do farmwork, but she took a side interest in botany as a more distinguished career. She hoped that one day she might make a discovery of how to make farm agriculture grow faster and more efficiently.
Since Pinkie Pie loved throwing parties and adored children, she decided she wanted to be an activities director at a local, or out of town kindergarten or preschool. Her parents wished for her to choose a path in becoming a geologist like her older sister, Maud-- but Pinkie worked up the nerve to stand up for what she truly wanted. Even Maud supported her decision, despite her tendency to sound less enthusiastic than she implied to be.
Rainbow Dash was destined to be a pro athlete is every sporting event like she always dreamed of being, along with being a Wonderbolt stunt plane pilot. That’s why she was going to a different school than the others who were going to attend Canterlot University next fall. She however promised to visit on weekends if she didn’t have too much homework to do. That pretty much worried the girls since they knew that schoolwork and Rainbow’s ego and energy wouldn’t mix well together.
The friends looked at Sunset with a bit of uncertainty because they all knew she was holding something back. However what she said was only half of the truth.
“Well we’re all feelin’ the same way, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “But are ya sure that’s it?”
“Yeah. I’m sure,” Sunset assured, even though it was practically a lie. However, the friends could clearly see through her ruse. Even after all this time, she still struggled with the meanings of friendship.
“I’m sorry, darling; but we already know when someone has more to let on to what they have to say,” Rarity stated.
“You mean that we know she’s not being truthful with us,” Rainbow corrected.
“Yes,” Rarity replied through her teeth. She did her best to sound calm and even forced a sort of intimidating toothy smile. There’s nothing more that Rarity disliked then having her delicately chosen words to be rephrased. Well that and getting filthy.
“You can tell us anything, Sunset. You should know that already,” Fluttershy assured. “Of course I understand if it’s that personal, then we don’t want to be invasive.”
Sunset sighed in reluctance. She knew she would have to come clean with her friends eventually.
“Look. I was honest when I said I was happy for all of us. But the thing is that all of you have a bright future ahead of you. As for myself, well… I’m just not sure it will be the same.”
“Why whatever do you mean?” Rarity asked, a bit taken aback. “You proved to us, and the entire school that you are truly an outstanding and wonderful lady and friend.”
“I know that part,” Sunset replied smiling a bit at the compliment, but it was brief. “But what I’ve done in the past will always remind me that I wasn’t like that before. Also, I still feel that I don’t completely fit in with human society, despite being here for four years already.”
“Ya seem perfectly normal tah us,” Applejack said. “What makes ya think otherwise?”
Sunset nervously rubbed the back of her head and chuckled uncomfortably.
“I didn’t want to admit this, Applejack. But on days that I help you move the hay out of the barn to feed Lonestar, I sort of help myself to some of it when you’re not looking.”
“Oh.” Applejack began, not knowing what else to say for the moment. She then gave an amused chuckle. “Well Ah do have tah admit we possibly have the best hay in the county that it’s completely irresistible. Whether tah people, or animals. Uh… Ah didn’t mean tah put it that way. What Ah meant tah say was…”
Sunset put her hand up to cut off AJ’s rambling.
“It’s okay, really. Frankly I thought you would be mad at me.”
“No. Of course not, hun. Ah jus’ wanted tah know the reason why there seemed tah be a little less hay than what we had before we got to the stables. Ah guess we all know now.”
Sunset and the girls shared a good-hearted laugh.
“Is there anything else we should know?” Rainbow asked.
“Please don’t be rude, Rainbow,” Rarity scolded.
“I wasn’t,” the prismatic athlete retorted defensively.
“Actually there is,” Sunset cut in before an upcoming argument would unfold. “I…”
“Yes!” Pinkie cried eagerly as she practically jumped into Sunset’s personal field of space.
“NEEEIIIGGGHHH!!” Sunset shrieked and jumped back. She then tightly clamped her hands tightly over her mouth and looked around at the already gawking people who were within earshot. Even her friends were a bit surprised. The atmosphere was now at an uncomfortable silence.
“Ahem. Deeply sorry about that. I didn’t mean to do...well.. that,” Sunset said to her onlookers once she recovered a bit. “Please carry on with your mingling.”
The crowd was hesitant for a bit, but decided to go along with Sunset’s suggestion.
“What. Was. That?” Rarity asked, still looking a bit dumbfounded.
“Uh… let’s just say I accidentally tend to whinny whenever something jumps out of nowhere and gets right up in my face,” Sunset explained sheepishly.
“Oh yeah. I remember that now,” Pinkie said as she began recalling similar events. “It’s when I made you try that scary computer game where animatronic dolls jump out at you.”
“I just can’t believe you made me play all three of them,” Sunset muttered. “I barely got any sleep for about a week or two after all that trauma I received from it.”
Pinkie just gave a sheepish smile and *squee*.
“Anyway, back on the subject,” Applejack interjected. “Jus’ because ya have a couple of traits that ya got from yer Equestrian kin doesn’t make ya any less perfect from bein’ a human in our world. Instead, it makes ya special in a very good way… and we can all accept that.”
“You really mean that?” Sunset asked with a hopeful smile. Tears welled in her eyes again, but they were of pure happiness and hope.
All five of her friends nodded and gave a positive verbal response.
“That’s very sweet of you guys. But I’m afraid I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. I didn’t bother to apply for college when I was supposed to-- and I have no idea what career I’m suited for; or if I’ll really have a passion for doing it,” Sunset said still looking a bit sad.
“Oh, darling. There’s no such thing as applying late for college,” Rarity reassured. “There’s always next year if you fill out an application online whenever you have the time.”
“And as for a career choice,” Fluttershy added. “You should really consider taking a course in equinology.”
“What’s that?” Sunset asked with a raised brow.
“It’s when you get to study, work with, or take care of horses; or any other animal that’s part of the equidae family,” Fluttershy explained in a slightly-professional demeanor.
Sunset took a moment to picture herself in this field, and she had to admit she liked the idea a lot. She’d practically be working and helping her own kind out, despite the diverse traits in communication and species.
“That sounds like a great plan to me, Fluttershy,” Sunset said, making the timid girl blush a bit along with giving a small, adorably sheepish smile. “But what am I going to do about submitting a resume? I really haven’t done anything all that special to even create one.”
“You helped us defeat the Sirens; that’s one awesome thing you can put on it,” Rainbow Dash suggested.
“As tempting as that sounds, I think it’s best if I wrote down deeds that are more, believable,” Sunset countered with a slight chuckle.
“Heh. Your loss,” Rainbow shrugged before being nudged by Applejack.
“What Dash meant tah say was it’s a way better idea. Not many folks ‘round here believe in mythological who’ee anyway.”
“Buzzkill,” Rainbow murmured, this time earning a glare from the honest farmgirl.
“To the main point here,” Rarity interjected. “All five of us will do what we can to ensure that you get accepted to Canterlot University next year.”
“Or the Wonderbolt Airshow Academy,” Rainbow chimed in, this time having glares of either annoyance or skepticism. Sunset looked mostly unsure.
“Hey. It could happen if she wanted to,” Rainbow stated in her defense.
Sunset just shook her head and smiled. She felt blessed to be granted with such great and interesting friends. She then opened up her arms and said, “Come here, girls so I can thank you each for this a bit more sincerely.”
The friends weren't hesitant as they all embraced Sunset and each other in their usual affectionate group hug style. Pinkie then said, “How about we have a sleepover at my place once we get out of these gowns?”
“Oh, I’m not sure if our parents would allow one for tonight,” Fluttershy said, looking a bit fretful.
“Oh of course you can, sweetie,” Fluttershy’s mother assured, overhearing the conversation, along with the rest of their families.
“A-are you sure?” Fluttershy asked, looking at both her parents.
“Yeah. Besides this night is special to all of you,” Fluttershy’s father added in. “I think you all deserve some quality time like this. Pull an all-nighter if you have to.”
The friends all laughed at this.
“Jus’ be sure tah be home before lunch,” Granny Smith instructed. She then yawned. “Uh. Ah best be gettin’ back home before Mac here has tah carry me out like Apple Bloom.”
Big Mac’s eyes went wide with surprise.
“Nope,” he said. It wasn’t really hard for him to cradle his fifteen-year old little sister in his arms as she slumbered peacefully with her face pressed against her chest, and her arms wrapped across his shoulders for support. However when it came to hauling an elderly lady who had more body density than a teenage girl: he wouldn’t know if he’ll experience severe back pain, or a complete strip of dignity.
“Will do, Granny,” Applejack assured with a smug grin.
The friends all shared a laugh again. Sunset was now in a better mood and had peace of mind. A single thought of a positive lyric even ran through her head as she continued to embrace the girls.
For the rest of my life; I will do what’s right.
